This beautiful vessel once contained a food offering to be taken to paradise. Its elongated shape would have allowed meat or even grain to be stored inside it. The animal is standing on four modified legs. The body is a graduated cylindrical shape with a fluted rim at the end. However, it is the head that is the most fascinating element. The protruding nose and bulging eyes make the piece look alive and vibrant. At the front and back of the eye are red dots, bringing a focus on the eyes, which would otherwise be lost in the decoration of the face. Down the center of the face are a series of red marks leading down to the nose, accentuating the bridge of the nose. A simple line brush stroke emulates the hair of the animal. The nose is painted red with two open nostrils. Under the nose, hidden away, is a vicious mouth, open, showing sharp, biting teeth? The ears even out the face with their gentle sloping and their painted strip design. The top of the vessel has been intricately and skillfully painted. The pattern is carefully done using dark brown paint as the main medium with hints of red. Around the edges of the design, red paint has been added and continues around the neck and lip of the vessel. What is this creature and what meaning did it have to the deceased to be represented in the tomb? No matter what the answer is, the vessel captivates both the heart and the mind, but especially---the imagination. L. 30.8cm(15IN)